Evolution Quiz

A population of frogs in a forest shows a variety of skin colors. After a change in the forest's canopy that allows more sunlight to reach the forest floor, the population of frogs with lighter skin colors increases. What is the most likely explanation for this change?

• The lighter-skinned frogs were better camouflaged from predators in the brighter environment.

• The darker-skinned frogs migrated to another forest.

• The change in sunlight caused the frogs to change their skin color.

• The lighter-skinned frogs were more resistant to diseases.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

A species of birds has developed longer beaks over several generations, allowing them to access food sources previously unreachable. What best describes the process behind this adaptation?

• The birds with longer beaks were able to eat more and thus had more offspring.

• The birds consciously grew their beaks longer to reach the food.

• All shorter-beaked birds died out due to starvation.

• The change in beak length was due to a change in the bird's diet.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

On an isolated mountain, researchers discover three types of rodents that are genetically distinct but similar in appearance. This suggests that the original population of rodents has split into different species. What does this scenario best illustrate?

• Genetic drift

• Speciation

• Convergent evolution

• Natural selection

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

In a population of insects, a mutation arises that makes them resistant to a common pesticide. Assuming no other environmental changes, how is this likely to affect the population's genetic variation over time?

• It will decrease as the resistant trait becomes more common.

• It will increase due to the introduction of the new mutation.

• It will not change because the mutation does not affect reproduction.

• It will increase as other mutations occur in response.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

A researcher uses DNA sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree of various amphibian species. Why is DNA sequencing an appropriate method for this study?

• It allows the researcher to observe the physical traits of the amphibians directly.

• It provides information on genetic similarities and differences that reveal evolutionary relationships.

• It is the only available method for studying extinct species.

• It helps in identifying the geographical origins of the species.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Over many years, a species of birds showed an increase in their beak size. What likely led to this adaptation?

• The larger beaks allowed the birds to eat thin, soft seeds better

• The larger beaks were better to crack thick seeds

• The larger beaks allowed the birds to drink more water

• The larger beaks made for better flying

Plants and bees/butterflies often evolve together. This is an example of _____

• gradualism

• coevolution

• punctuated equilibrium

• divergent evolution

• convergent evolution

Over millions of years, tigers develop a combination of orange and black stripes, which allow them to hide in tall grasses as they stalk their prey. This is an example of ____

• convergent evolution

• divergent evolution

• punctuated equilibrium

• extinction

• gradualism

Answer explanation

A clue to help you decide if something is gradualism is if it talks about taking a long time - or millions of years

For millions of years, horse species remained relatively unchanged, but there were several brief periods of rapid evolution and diversification, leading to the modern horse species we see today.

• divergent evolution

• punctuated equilibrium

• extinction

• convergent evolution

Answer explanation

Clues to identify punctuated equilibrium -

rapid, quick, burst

A flock of birds migrating and settling on a new island. Over time, this group becomes more adapted by developing new characteristics to enable them to survive in their new habitat. Thus, they become a different species from their ancestors. This is an example of ____

• divergent evolution

• convergent evolution

• punctuated equilibrium

• gradualism

Answer explanation

Divergent Evolution - looks for clue words such as: different or new species